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TriCore C library adds functional safety for VX toolset

Thu, Jul 20, 2023

A new C library introduced by Tasking simplifies development according to ISO 26262. The TriCore Qualified C Library (QClib) for the VX toolset simplifies the development of automotive software with regard to functional safety, said the company.

Software library qualification is required by functional safety standards because the library code is incorporated into the application and installed on the target device. A faulty library can jeopardise the functional safety of the application. Both a qualified compiler and a qualified C library must be used for the development of software that must meet functional safety requirements according to standards such as ISO 26262 or IEC 61508.

The TriCore Qualified C Library is a full-featured ISO C library that provides approximately 600 functions. Of these, about 200 functions are suitable for use in ASIL-D software, the remaining functions are qualified for use in lower level ASIL or QM software. The library can be integrated easily into existing projects, interfacing with third party operating systems, and enables the use of printf-style debugging and logging, explained Tasking.

The QClib comes with a safety manual in both human readable (pdf) and machine readable (ReqIF) formats. The ReqIF format makes it possible to automatically import the guidelines from the safety manual into the user’s requirements management system. The structure of the ReqIF file is such that all safety requirements are uniquely identifiable and allows reuse and sharing of safety analyses performed by different development teams, as well as (partial) reuse of safety analyses performed on different versions of the QClib product.

Using the Qualified C Library reduces the cost and lead time of safety related software and reduces product liability risks, claimed Tasking. The library is specifically designed for use in embedded systems and is highly optimised in terms of code size, execution speed, and accuracy of mathematical functions.
The TriCore Qualified C Library is available immediately.

Tasking provides development tools, safety and security-oriented embedded software development tools for multi-core architectures. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

Its development tools are used by automotive manufacturers and suppliers, as well as in adjacent markets around the world, to realise high-performance applications in safety-critical areas.

The Tasking Embedded Software Development solutions provide an ecosystem for the entire software development process. Each Tasking compiler is designed for a certain architecture and meets the specific requirements of an industry, including automotive, industrial, telecommunications and datacomms.

http://www.tasking.com

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Compact LTE-M / NB-IoT module by u-blox has 2G fallback capability

Wed, Jul 19, 2023

The LEXI-R4 is a compact module that has been customised for applications where space is limited. It has dimensions of 16 x 16mm and supports all LTE-M and NB-IoT bands with an RF output power of 23dBm. It also has the possibility to operate on a 2G network. Typical applications are small asset trackers, such as pet and personal trackers, micromobility devices and luggage tags. It is also able to encompass larger applications, such as alarm systems, vending machines and stolen vehicle recovery systems, advised u-blox.

The u-blox LEXI-R4’s compact dimensions are a 40 per cent footprint reduction compared to the company’s u-blox SARA-R4. The space gained can be used to host larger antennas, which can improve radio frequency (RF) performance, or to accommodate larger-size batteries.

It also has 2G fallback capability. Whenever LTE-M / NB-IoT coverage conditions are not optimal, it will keep functioning by falling back onto a 2G network. This is practical and convenient in countries where LTE-M / NB-IoT networks have yet to be fully deployed.

The module is natively designed to support GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) AT commands and is also ready for GNSS bundling. Its dedicated port enables easy integration with any u-blox M10-based GNSS module, for instance the u-blox MIA-M10, to improve performance and lower power consumption, said u-blox. The module can also connect to additional positioning services such as AssistNow and CellLocate.

“Since the module supports the u-blox M10 GNSS platform, customers save execution time and resources,” says Samuele Falcomer, senior product line manager, product centre cellular at u-blox.

The module’s AT commands and a dedicated I2C port can operate the GNSS core to eliminate the need to integrate additional code into the MCU. “In addition, the LEXI-R4 module offers a single SKU with global LPWA (low power wide area) coverage that simplifies logistics,” added Falcomer.

The first samples will be available by the end of Q3 2023.

u-blox provides positioning and wireless communication in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Its services and products let people, vehicles and machines determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short range networks. The company offers a broad portfolio of chips, modules, and secure data services and connectivity, to empower developers to introduce solutions for the IoT, quickly and cost-effectively. The company has headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland and offices in Europe, Asia, and the USA.

http://www.u-blox.com

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Four LPDDR4X SDRAMs halve power consumption

Wed, Jul 19, 2023

Four SDRAMs by Alliance Memory combine low voltage operation with fast clock speeds. The fourth generation LPDDR4 SDRAMs range from 2Gbit to 16Gbit.

The latest additions to the company’s high speed CMOS mobile low power LPDDR4X SDRAMs are the 2Gbit AS4C128M16MD4V-062BAN, the 4Gbit AS4C256M16MD4V-062BAN, the 8Gbit AS4C512M16MD4V-053BIN and the 16Gbit AS4C512M32MD4V-053BIN. According to Alliance Memory, they deliver approximately 50 per cent lower power ratings in the 200-ball FBGA package for higher power efficiency.

They have low voltage operation of 0.6V, lower than 1.1V for LPDDR4 SDRAMs, to increase battery life in portable electronics for the consumer, commercial, and industrial markets, including smartphones, smart speakers, security surveillance systems, and other IoT devices utilising AI and 5G technologies. They also provide increased efficiency for advanced audio and high resolution video in embedded applications. The LPDDR4X SDRAMs deliver clock speeds up to 1.86GHz for high transfer rates of 3.7Gbits per second.

For automotive applications – including ADAS – the AEC-Q100-qualified AS4C128M16MD4V-062BAN and AS4C256M16MD4V-062BAN offer a temperature range of -40 to +105 degrees C and on-chip ECC for increased reliability. The AS4C512M16MD4V-053BIN and AS4C512M32MD4V-053BIN operate over an industrial temperature range of -40 to +85 degrees C.

The AS4C512M16MD4V-053BIN, AS4C128M16MD4V-062BAN and AS4C256M16MD4V-062BAN are organised as single channel devices each consisting of eight banks of 16 bits; the AS4C512M32MD4V-053BIN offers two channels. All four components provide fully synchronous operation; programmable read and write burst lengths of 16, 32, and on the fly; and selectable output drive strength. An on-chip temperature sensor controls the self-refresh rate.

Alliance Memory’s LPDDR4X SDRAMs are designed as drop-in, pin-for-pin-compatible replacements for use in high bandwidth, high performance memory system applications, eliminating the need for costly redesigns and part requalification.

Samples and production quantities of the new LPDDR4X SDRAMs are available now, with lead times of 12 weeks.

Alliance Memory provides critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The company’s product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kbit to 16Gbyte.

Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, USA and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America.

http://www.alliancememory.com

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Optical spectrum analyser MS9740B reduces test time for laser diode production

Tue, Jul 18, 2023

Contributing to improved laser diode chip production efficiency, Anritsu has introduced the measurement function MS9740B-020 for the optical spectrum analyser MS9740B model. It evaluates a pulsed laser diode chip, reducing the test time and contributing to improved production efficiency of high power laser diode chips, said the company.

Laser diode chip manufacturers and optical equipment vendors evaluate the optical spectrum of chips during manufacturing. Market demand for high power laser diode chips is driven by higher communication bit rates and longer lidar detection ranges.

There are also new use cases, such as external laser small pluggable (ELSFP) modules for co-packaged optics applications, which are expected to accelerate demand. The continuous wave (CW) output from a high power laser diode chip is subject to power drift and wavelength shift as the chip temperature rises. This is prevented by suppressing the temperature rise by using pulsed laser diode chips. Currently, testing of pulsed laser diode chips during production takes longer because an external trigger signal is required to synchronise with the pulsed laser diode chip.

The MS97040B-020 is rugged in design and reduces tact time for pulsed laser diode chips and accelerates optical spectrum evaluation by eliminating the need for a trigger signal, explained Anritsu.

It also assures measurement reproducibility for even high power laser diode chips, added the company with measurement reproducibility of ±1.4 dB for side mode suppression ratio (SMSR). Low SMSR variation improves the chip yield and helps production efficiency.

Anritsu has been providing communications test and measurement solutions for 128 years. Anritsu’s philosophy engages customers as true partners to help develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multi-dimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimisation.

Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. It develops advanced solutions for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets.

Anrtisu has offices throughout the world and employees in over 90 countries.

http://www.anritsu.com

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TriCore C library adds functional safety for VX toolset

Compact LTE-M / NB-IoT module by u-blox has 2G fallback capability

Four LPDDR4X SDRAMs halve power consumption

Optical spectrum analyser MS9740B reduces test time for laser diode production

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